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Security Engineers at high-growth companies earn $119K–$188K. Median: $150K. Based on 393 public job postings (2025–2026). US DOL certified wage filings (FY2026): $150K median. Recruiting from Scratch's network includes 10,300+ security engineers, including 1,100+ with top-tier-company experience.
Median: $150K · Based on 393 public job postings · Updated August 9, 2026
A security engineer designs, builds, and maintains the security controls, tooling, and processes that protect a company's systems and data. At a startup, security engineers often own the entire security function: application security, cloud security, identity management, compliance programs (SOC 2, ISO 27001), and incident response. Security has moved from a box-checking compliance exercise to a product differentiator — especially for companies selling to enterprise customers.
Series A through Series B, once enterprise deals are requiring security questionnaires and SOC 2 certification, or when you handle sensitive customer data that creates real liability if breached. Security engineers who join at Series A can build security right into the architecture; joining at Series C means retrofitting security into systems designed without it — significantly harder and more expensive.
Based on our database of 1408 real postings, the median salary for a Security Engineer is $180K. Salaries typically range from $145K to $214K, reflecting variations in experience, location, and specific responsibilities. Our insights help clients understand market rates to attract top talent effectively.
Hiring a Security Engineer can be a competitive process. While the industry average often falls between 45 to 60 days, our specialized approach typically reduces this timeframe significantly. On average, we help our clients secure top talent in just 29 days.
When hiring a Security Engineer, we advise focusing on core technical competencies such as network security, cloud environments, and incident response. Beyond technical skills, look for strong problem-solving abilities and clear communication. A solid grasp of compliance frameworks and risk management is also crucial for long-term success in the role.
To effectively assess a Security Engineer, we recommend a multi-faceted approach. Technical interviews should delve into specific security domains and past projects, while practical exercises can gauge their ability to solve real-world security challenges. Behavioral questions are also important to understand their approach to teamwork, problem-solving under pressure, and continuous learning.
The landscape for Security Engineer roles has become increasingly flexible. While some positions remain in-person, many companies now offer remote or hybrid work arrangements to attract top talent. We've seen a strong trend towards remote options, allowing organizations to access a wider pool of qualified candidates across different geographies.
San Francisco
New York
Based on companies with 3+ active postings. Median of publicly advertised salary range.
Typical experience required: 5–6 years.
Security Engineers are security engineers and analysts who protect infrastructure, data, and applications. This benchmark reflects Mid-level base compensation at high-growth and AI-native companies.
For corroboration, U.S. Department of Labor certified wage filings (FY2026) show a median of $150K for Security Engineer roles, ranging $120K–$176K, across 199 filings. This is reported separately from — never blended with — the job-posting median above.
What is the average Security Engineer salary at an AI startup?
The median pay is $150K, with a typical range of $119K–$188K, based on 393 public job postings collected in 2025–2026.
Where does this salary data come from?
It is aggregated from public job postings on company career pages — no private placement or client data. We require a minimum of 15 postings per role.
Figures are the midpoint of each posting's advertised USD salary range, aggregated from 393 public job postings (2025–2026). The range shown is the 25th–75th percentile; the median is the 50th percentile. Equity is separate and not included; where a posting's range reflects on-target earnings (OTE) for commission roles, that is included in the midpoint. Roles require at least 15 postings to be published. Last refreshed August 9, 2026.
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